I am very new to ereaders. I will most likely use the ereader to get free library reading material. I mostly read 1 book a month but during holidays and travelling, I read more. I see that my library offers audiobooks but majority of these are .wma rather than MP3. Are there any eraders that support .wma and/or MP3?

I was hoping to spend less than $100. Or do I have to buy 2 devices? I would like to have an ereader that can handle a sd card or a USB card on the side. I was at B&N and was told that I can connect an expandible device by removing the back. That seems weird to me.

Or are there any ereaders that can automatically read the book for you outloud like the GPS?

The Ectaco Jetbook (not Lite) and the similar Aluratek Libre have a headphone jack and can play MP3s (also concurrently while reading a book on the screen, if desired). They both have an SD slot for books and audio. They handle the Adobe reader DRM used by most libraries. These devices are covered in the Ectaco jetBook forum.

Indeed mlxxxp is correct. Sicne the two are so similar I would recommend buying based on two features: 1) the jet book lite supports more formats then the Libra Pro does; 2) Price - the aluratek is less then the jetbook, although its the same price as the jetbook mini.

I am very new to ereaders. I will most likely use the ereader to get free library reading material. I mostly read 1 book a month but during holidays and travelling, I read more. I see that my library offers audiobooks but majority of these are .wma rather than MP3. Are there any eraders that support .wma and/or MP3?

I don't know of any ereaders that support WMA. Most only support MP3. The Kindle has the best audio coverage - MP3, Audible, and text-to-speech.

Why not get an MP3 player that supports MP3, WMA, and Audible? That way you have all bases covered for audiobooks. That's how I listen to them. I use a Sansa Clip+. High quality, yet inexpensive.

iTunes will convert wma to mp3. It takes a while, but does the job nicely. There are some other freebie software apps that should do the trick as well.

Yes, iTunes can convert unprotected WMA files to MP3. But it does not convert protected WMA files like library audiobooks, which are what the original poster was asking about. Library audiobooks come in either protected WMA or (unprotected) MP3 formats (in a ratio of about 5:1 or so, depending on your library). None are unprotected WMA files.

The Overdrive reader app for Android supports library audiobooks.http://www.overdrive.com/aboutus/get...cleID=20091221
So if you don't mind reading on a 4" screen an Android phone can give access to both library text ebooks and audiobooks.
In the next few months, Overdrive wil be releasing their App for Windows, Macs, and iOS so at some point the iPod and iPad will also do the trick.

There is at least one Android-based color ereader (the Pocketbook IQ) that is open enough to allow installation of Android apps so, if you can get your hands on the Overdrive app, you'd be in business; it's a 7" LCD-based reader retailing for US$139.

If Overdrive gets their App onto the NookColor App store that would also be an option.

If anyone's interested, the Clip+ 4GB will be a Black Friday item at Best Buy and RadioShack for $30 ($20 below retail).

the sandisk sansa clip+ is THE best hidden jewel in the mp3 world. It simply is the best.
Whenever I see anyone wanting to buy an ipod shuffle or even a nano, I just shake my head and think, people people there are soo many better choices out there. and the Clip+ is one of them.

but to answer the op, just about all ereaders support MP3, your iTunes or even your Windows Media Player can covert unprotected if need be.

Yes, iTunes can convert unprotected WMA files to MP3. But it does not convert protected WMA files like library audiobooks, which are what the original poster was asking about. Library audiobooks come in either protected WMA or (unprotected) MP3 formats (in a ratio of about 5:1 or so, depending on your library). None are unprotected WMA files.

With the later versions of Overdrive Console, or Net Library (these are the library audio book equivalents of ADE) and an approved device (I use my iTouch) you will be able to access library WMA audio books. I use them all the time...but as I mentioned, be prepared to start the transfer and go and do something else for an hour. It takes forever.

The iTouch does do ebooks as well, but don't think I would recommend the small 3" screen for ebooks even though my husband doesn't mind it.